BJP goes full throttle in Ambala, K'shetra to keep poll momentum

The BJP has gone full throttle to ensure the party's victory in the civic elections in Ambala and Kurukshetra.

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While the party is focusing on micro-management, and has deployed senior leadership to lead the campaign, the Congress and the AAP are largely banking on local units.

The BJP and the Congress have fielded candidates for the mayoral byelection of Ambala Municipal Corporation.

The BJP has fielded candidates on party symbol in the election of presidents of Municipal Council Ambala Sadar, Barara Municipal Committee, and Kurukshetra’s Ismailabad Municipal Committee. For the election of Thanesar Municipal Council chairperson's election, the BJP, BSP, Congress and AAP have fielded candidates.

Cabinet minister Anil Vij said, “All opposition parties, including the Congress, have left the field as they are afraid of BJP's popularity. They have not given symbol to the candidates at various places. There is a BJP government at the Centre and in the state, and people of Haryana have decided to elect BJP candidates to ensure smooth development.”

On the condition of anonymity, a senior Congress leader in Ambala said, “The BJP has a strong party organisation that gives a platform and confidence to the candidates, while the same is lacking in the Congress. Though the party has fielded its candidate in the Ambala MC election, except Deepender Hooda on the day of nomination and MP Varun Chaudhry, no other senior state leader has turned up so far. The local leaders are participating half-heartedly.”

“The party has not fielded any candidate in the Ambala Sadar Municipal Council election, which is a matter of concern. After poor performance in the Assembly poll in Ambala Cantonment, the party should have contested on its symbol to give a boost to the morale of workers,” he added.

AAP Kurukshetra district president Vishal Khubber, said, “The decision regarding the elections and campaigning were left to the local units. The party has fielded its chairperson candidate for the Thanesar Municipal Council election on party symbol, while 16 AAP workers and leaders are also contesting from different wards as Independent candidates. We have been getting good support and the party candidate will give a tough time to the BJP candidates.”

Meanwhile, Kushal Pal, a political analyst, said, “The BJP is in no mood to let go of the momentum it gained in the Assembly elections. The Congress should have focused on rebuilding the party, and giving a boost to the workers' morale. The civic elections were a good time for revival, but not much efforts are visible on the ground. Due to this, a number of Congress leaders are joining the BJP. The AAP has not been able to strengthen its position in the state. A strong Opposition is very important in a democracy.”